Helen Agyemang: A year at Artsadmin
Helen Agyemang (she/her) joined Artsadmin last year through the Government’s Kickstart Scheme. In this blog she talks about her traineeship and experience with Artsadmin.
I’ve been at Artsadmin for just under a year, yet I still refer to myself as “kinda new” (I really need to let that go). Though, in what feels like has been the quickest year to date, I’ve gained the most rewarding experience and have been enabled the best start to my career.
I joined Artsadmin on a six-month traineeship through the Government’s Kickstart Scheme, as Marketing and Fundraising trainee. This was my first professional role coming out of university and I did not know what to expect. This opportunity however, has provided me with the most valuable skills and experience (yes, all that CV stuff) but more importantly, Artsadmin has reignited my faith in the power of art to redefine our world.
When I was younger, the arts seemed to be so out of reach for someone like myself, a young black woman from a working-class background. However, growing up with a particular interest in understanding the ills of the world in hope to one day be an agent of social change, I came to the recognition that there was indeed a space for me in the arts.
What drew me to Artsadmin is reflective of what I have learnt about the arts as a whole – its embracive nature, ability to break barriers and join people and their stories by giving a voice to the politically and socially disenfranchised. Therefore, being able to hold a space within this organisation, whose values align with my own, is so important to me, as I understand first-hand the power of representation and inclusivity within the sector and in enabling more people to experience the transformative nature of the arts.
My time here at Artsadmin has been a fun, insightful and nourishing experience. I feel like I joined Artsadmin at the best moment and I’m excited to continue here my journey in my new role as Development and Marketing Assistant. I would really encourage anyone that is thinking about beginning their career within the creative industry to do so!